Slide 1 I. Racism, Discrimination and the CJS A.Define and examine the discrimination thesis B.Analyze the idea of systematic racism C.Understanding racism in CJS – zero tolerance D.Classify racial disparities into legal factors and extralegal factors E.Comprehend reasons for racial disparity. Differentiate individual vs institutional racism. BHS Law Related Education Program Criminal Justice Lesson 4: Racism, Discrimination and the CJS Lesson Objectives

Slide 2 I. Racism, Discrimination and the CJS A.Discrimination Thesis 1)Many socio-economically disadvantaged people and minority citizens believe that the Criminal Justice System is racist. B. Systematic Racism 1)System-wide racism existing in all parts of the Criminal Justice System including the Police, Courts and Corrections and in all stages of the criminal justice process. BHS Law Related Education Program Criminal Justice Lesson 4: Racism, Discrimination and the CJS

Slide 3 I. Racism, Discrimination and the CJS Understanding Racism in CJS 1.A consensus exists among policy makers, academics and criminal justice administrators. There should be zero tolerance for racism in the Criminal Justice System. 2.The majority of scholars believe there is a substantial body of evidence proving racial bias is inherent in the practices and policies of the criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system. BHS Law Related Education Program Criminal Justice Lesson 4: Racism, Discrimination and the CJS

Slide 4 I. Racism, Discrimination and the CJS A. Racism 1)The belief that members of other races are inferior. Prejudice toward other races. Racial superiority. B.Discrimination 1)Unfair treatment of a person or group usually because of prejudice about race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender or sexual orientation or preference. C. Bias 1)An unfair preference for or a dislike of something. BHS Law Related Education Program Criminal Justice Lesson 4: Racism, Discrimination and the CJS

Slide 5 I. Racism, Discrimination and the CJS A.The U.S. is a multi-racial, multi-ethnic society. Major ethnic categories in American society include: 1)White/Caucasian 2)African –American 3)Hispanic 4)Asian BHS Law Related Education Program Criminal Justice Lesson 4: Racism, Discrimination and the CJS

Slide 6 I. Racism, Discrimination and the CJS A. The United States has a diverse religious society. Major religions in American society include: 1)Christian – Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Mormon, Jehovah Witness 2)Jewish – Orthodox, Hassidic, 3)Muslim – Shiite, Sunni, Kurd 4)Atheist or Agnostic 5)Other – Buddhist, Hindu, Christian Scientologist BHS Law Related Education Program Criminal Justice Lesson 4: Racism, Discrimination and the CJS

Slide 7 A. Racial Disparity - A difference which may or may not be related to discrimination, consisting of legal factors and extralegal factors. 1)Legal Factors a)Seriousness of the offense b)Prior criminal record 2)Extralegal Factors a)Race, class or gender b)Not legitimate factors to base decisions on. These relate to group membership not criminal behavior. BHS Law Related Education Program Criminal Justice Lesson 4: Racism, Discrimination and the CJS

Slide 8 I. Racism, Discrimination and the CJS A. Types of Racial Disparity 1)Occurs when significant differences are found in the ratio of minority representation in the general population vs the minority ratio found in the CJS. 2)Significantly larger percentage of racial minorities vs caucasians are found in a part of the CJS. BHS Law Related Education Program Criminal Justice Lesson 4: Racism, Discrimination and the CJS

Slide 9 A. Reasons for Racial Disparity 1)Differential involvement in criminality a)African-Americans and Hispanics commit more crime. b)These groups suffer from poverty and unemployment. 2)Bigotry of individuals – Individual Racism a)Discriminatory behavior of police officers, prosecutors, attorneys, judges, probation/parole officers/boards. 3.Institutional Racism – A Biased System a)Unequal impact of statutes, classifications, practices BHS Law Related Education Program Criminal Justice Lesson 4: Racism, Discrimination and the CJS